Astros notes: Johnson putting up power numbers

Published 5:30 am, Friday, September 17, 2010

Power train

When Chris Johnson took aim at the train above the left center-field wall for Tuesday's 428-foot home run, he reached a total of nine in his 77th game.

That would put him on pace for roughly 20 in a full season, but manager Brad Mills thinks there could be bigger power numbers.

"Because he is so young and his major league career is young, I definitely think there's more in there," Mills said. "In saying that, I'm not trying to put more pressure on the guy that all he has to do is hit home runs. Just continue to grow and get better.

"He told me just become a good hitter and we'll go from there," Johnson (6-3, 220 pounds) said. "Not really worried about the power right now, but if the balls go out, that's good for me."

The Astros have lingered toward the bottom of the power categories in recent years. With 98 home runs, they are the only National League team in double-digits, and they rank last in the league in slugging.

The lack of power around Johnson combined with his tremendous rookie season — hitting .319 with a .493 slugging percentage - has allowed the third baseman to move up to the No. 5 spot in the order.

Del Rosario added

The Astros added an arm to their bullpen with the acquisition of righthander Enerio Del Rosario from Cincinnati for cash Thursday.

Del Rosario, 24, a native of the Dominican Republic, pitched in nine games for the Reds this year, compiling a 2.08 ERA. He spent most of the season with Class AAA Louisville, going 4-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 50 appearances but had been designated for assignment by the Reds.

Thanks to a hard sinker that induces ground balls, he's gotten by without a lot of strikeouts, fanning just 46 in 882⁄3 career innings at Class AAA and three in 82⁄3 big league innings.

Del Rosario is expected to join the Astros today for the beginning of a three-game series against his former team.

To make room for Del Rosario on the 40-man roster, which had been full, the Astros designated infielder Oswaldo Navarro for assignment.